Adjustable flow rate bead dispenser

ABSTRACT

A bead dispenser  10  for use with a line striper controls the amount of beads being dispensed onto a thermal (or other) stripe or marking, minimizing waste by not dropping excessive beads. The bead box  12  is capable of dropping six to ten pounds of beads per one hundred square feet. An adjustable lever  14  with a spring plunger  16  allows the user to choose the glass bead flow rate by simply moving adjuster to one of four settings  18.  The adjustable lever  14  is attached to an offset shaft  20  that applies tension to the polyurethane flap  22  when rotated.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. Nos.61/228,679, filed Jul. 27, 2009 and 61/228,679 filed Aug. 20, 2009, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Devices for applying thermal markings and striping to roadways and thelike are well known.

Disclosure of the Invention

This invention controls the amount of beads being dispensed onto athermal (or other) stripe or marking, minimizing waste by not droppingexcessive beads. The bead box is capable of dropping six to ten poundsof beads per one hundred square feet.

An adjustable lever with a spring plunger allows the user to choose theglass bead flow rate by simply moving adjuster to one of four settings.The adjustable lever is attached to an offset shaft that applies tensionto the polyurethane flap when rotated. The more tension applied, theless beads dropped. There are four settings the user can choose from tofine tune the amount of beads being dropped from six to ten pounds perone hundred square feet.

This feature allows user to adjust glass bead flow rate depending on jobapplication which determines bead size and usage of beads. This designminimizes waste by controlling bead flow.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear morefully from the following description made in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an external view of the bead dispenser of the instantinvention.

FIG. 2 shows the adjustment mechanism of the bead dispenser of theinstant invention.

FIG. 3 shows the other side of the bead dispenser of the instantinvention.

FIG. 4 shows the double bead hopper of the instant invention.

FIG. 5 shows the open bead hopper of the bead dispenser of the instantinvention.

FIG. 6 shows the double embodiment of the bead dispenser of the instantinvention.

FIG. 7 shows the other side of the double embodiment of the beaddispenser of the instant invention.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of the bead dispenser.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The instant invention, generally 10, controls the amount of beads beingdispensed onto a thermal (or other) stripe or marking, minimizing wasteby not dropping excessive beads. The bead box 12 is capable of droppingsix to ten pounds of beads per one hundred square feet.

An adjustable lever 14 with a spring plunger 16 allows the user tochoose the glass bead flow rate by simply moving adjuster 14 to one offour settings 18. The adjustable lever 14 is attached to an offset shaft20 that applies tension to the polyurethane flap 22 when rotated. Themore tension applied, the less beads dropped. There are four settings 18the user can choose from to fine tune the amount of beads being droppedfrom six to ten pounds per one hundred square feet. A driven roller 24on shaft 26 helps dispense the beads. A bead hopper 28 supplies beads tobead box 12.

It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made tothe bead dispenser without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the following claims.

1. A bead dispenser for use with a line striper, said bead dispensercomprising: a bead box having a bottom with an opening therein; aflexible flap in said bottom for selectively occluding said opening; anoffset shaft rotatably mounted on said box adjacent said flap; and anadjustable lever attached to said shaft to allow rotation of said shaftto vary the pressure of said shaft on said flap in order to vary theflow rate of beads through said opening.
 2. The bead dispenser of claim1 wherein said lever comprises a spring plunger and a plurality ofsettings which allows the user to choose the glass bead flow rate bymoving said lever.